Don’t get caught out like this customer in the BBC TV series ‘The Railway: Keeping Britain on Track’. Railfuture's online guide for rail users will help you find the cheapest train tickets in the minefield of the fares system.

Top 10 money-saving tips

Get a railcard. A new 'millennial' railcard for all 26-30 year olds went on sale in unlimited numbers on 2 January 2019 at £30 per year. In addition, a new railcard will be launched in September 2019 extending child fares to 16/17 year olds.

If you can commit to specific trains (just like travelling by air) book advance tickets as early as possible

Travelling by rail can be cheaper than the cost of putting fuel in a car, and is likely to be even cheaper when the cost of the car's depreciation, maintenance, finance and parking are taken into account. Rail is often quicker and more comfortable, and it is certainly safer and more environmentally friendly. These pages will help you to get the best out of rail travel and to deal with any problems that may arise:

Then sit back and enjoy the soundtrack of The Railway, a piece for solo piano called Le Chemin de Fer by composer Charles-Valentin Alkan (1813-1888).

Many attractions have 2 for 1 offers available if you travel by train - see this Days Out guide.

If you work in London and are thinking of moving house, it is worth considering both the daily travel time and the combined cost of your mortgage payments and season ticket. The website Life after London has mapped season ticket prices and average mortgage costs in the area around every station in south-east England, whilst Emoov has mapped average house prices around major stations throughout the UK. Also bear in mind that some train operators now offer carnet tickets which will save you money if you work from home one or two days each week.

When people tell you that rail travel is cheaper in Europe, don't believe them - this infographic shows how fares really compare for one-way journeys. Off peak return journeys can be even cheaper.

If you can’t find the answer here, there is more information about British rail operators, tickets and fares on the National Rail website.